American League
#6 Monterrey Gringos (96-66) vs #5 Philadelphia Stomp (99-63)
The Stomp have advanced to the franchise's seventh LCS in the past twelve seasons. Very impressive. They have done so, while dealing with an assortment of key injuries both late in the season, and during the playoffs. For the Gringos, though it is this franchise's fourth trip to the LCS, this is the first time the team has made the playoffs in 17 seasons! They have ended their drought in style with upset wins over AL powers St. Louis and New Orleans. Now the league's highest scoring offense (Monterrey) will square off against the AL's best pitching staff (Philly) for the rights to punch their WS ticket. This should be a tight series, that will go the distance. Philly does still have some injury concerns to overcome, but there are also a couple of factors that play into their favor. Only three of the game will be played in the hitters paradise in Mexico, where the rowdy fans and little league style field play to the Gringos strengths. Also, though the Stomp are the best pitching team in the AL, they are also the second highest scoring team in the AL (behind Monterrey, of course). Quilvio Lee is back and healthy, and also the best pitcher in the series.
Philadelphia wins in seven.
National League
#3 Vancouver Tragedy Twins (93-69) vs #1 Little Rock Mockingbirds (105-57)
The Little Rock Mockingbirds are on a quest to extend their dominance over the NL, by winning their 4th NL Pennant in 5 seasons. There is a reason too, as the Mockingbirds are clearly the best team in the NL. They have an above average defense to complement the highest rated pitching staff in the NL and the second highest scoring offense in the NL. Its a complete team, with no real weakness. Their opponents is the resurgent Vancouver Tragedy Twins. The Twins are a traditional NL power, that has fallen on hard times in recent memory with a mini-playoff drought of three seasons. They have taken back their division this season, with an interesting roster comprised of veterans and up and coming players. A solid, all-around team... the Twins ranked 7th in pitching and 4th in runs scored. Though the Twins should make a credible series out of it, the NL is really Little Rock's to lose, and any team would have come into this matchup as the underdog.
Little Rock wins in six.
